Phil Jackson Says Michael Jordan Was Greater Than Kobe Bryant?

Over the years, getting legendary NBA head coach Phil Jackson to compare Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant was damn near impossible. But in Jackson’s forthcoming new book, a memoir titled Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success, he does just that. Basically, it seems like the Zen Master gives the edge to Air Jordan.

The Los Angeles Time printed some excerpts of the book where Coach Jackson compares the NBA Hall of Famer and the sure to be first ballot Hall of Famer.

On their skills as team leaders:

“Michael was more charismatic and gregarious than Kobe. He loved hanging out with his teammates and security guards, playing cards, smoking cigars, and joking around,” Jackson said in the book, which was obtained in advance by The Times.

“Kobe is different. He was reserved as a teenager, in part because he was younger than the other players and hadn’t developed strong social skills in college. When Kobe first joined the Lakers, he avoided fraternizing with his teammates. But his inclination to keep to himself shifted as he grew older. Increasingly, Kobe put more energy into getting to know the other players, especially when the team was on the road.”

On their defense:

“No question, Michael was a tougher, more intimidating defender. He could break through virtually any screen and shut down almost any player with his intense, laser-focused style of defense,” said Jackson, who coached Jordan to six championships and Bryant to five.

“Kobe has learned a lot from studying Michael’s tricks, and we often used him as our secret weapon on defense when we needed to turn the direction of a game. In general, Kobe tends to rely more heavily on his flexibility and craftiness, but he takes a lot of gambles on defense and sometimes pays the price.”

On getting buckets:

“Michael was more likely to break through his attackers with power and strength, while Kobe often tries to finesse his way through mass pileups,” Jackson wrote. “Michael was stronger, with bigger shoulders and a sturdier frame. He also had large hands that allowed him to control the ball better and make subtle fakes.

“Jordan was also more naturally inclined to let the game come to him and not overplay his hand, whereas Kobe tends to force the action, especially when the game isn’t going his way. When his shot is off, Kobe will pound away relentlessly until his luck turns. Michael, on the other hand, would shift his attention to defense or passing or setting screens to help the team win the game.”

Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success is in stores Tuesday, May 21.

So, if you had to pick one, who would it be; the Black Mamba or Air Jordan? Let us know in the comments and check out some of our favorite MJ vs. Kobe pics in the gallery.